I Used the Vacuum Paper Towel Tube Hack to Clean My Dryer Lint Trap, and It Was So Satisfying
Doing laundry has always been my favorite chore. I love the fresh scent of the detergent, the satisfaction of folding something neatly, and even returning clothes and linens to their rightful place. I even wipe down the exterior of my washer and dryer and always keep the dryer lint trap free of fuzz. That’s why I was surprised to find out (on TikTok, of all places!) that I wasn’t cleaning the lint trap as thoroughly as I should have.
A clean dryer lint trap not only improves the dryer’s airflow (so your laundry is perfectly dry and fluffy), but it also greatly reduces the risk of a fire. I luckily stumbled upon a useful cleaning trick that was both eco-friendly and completely free!
What Is the Vacuum Paper Towel Tube Hack?
In one of my evening scrolls, I landed on this video by home DIY expert and content creator Ken Long. The hack was simple: Take the cardboard tube from a roll of paper towels and slide it over the end of your vacuum hose, then flattened the end of the roll to create a flat attachment that could easily reach the bottom of a dryer’s lint trap after removing the screen. Watching this video perfectly coincided with me finishing a roll of paper towels, so the next morning I gave this hack a try.
What Happened When I Tried This Trick to Clean My Dryer Vents
First, I tried to use the hose on my vacuum without the cardboard to try to clean the lint trap. Obviously, it did not fit and was only able to suction the loose lint that was scattered around the edge of the screen. Once I slipped on the cardboard roll, I knew I had a more versatile tool.
All the lint I never knew existed at the bottom of the trap quickly vanished into the hose. I then moved onto the dryer door, which to my surprise was packed with lint! The cardboard roll attachment fit perfectly and was able to remove most of the trapped excess lint.
Although the strong suction of the vacuum would crumple the bottom of the cardboard roll, the functionality never lacked. The before-and-after difference was quite stark — particularly for the dryer door.
Funny enough, a few days later I got a TikTok ad for a plastic vacuum hose attachment for the exact purpose of cleaning narrow spaces like a lint trap. Thankfully, I didn’t have to waste a cent on another piece of plastic to keep my lint trap completely clean.